- QUESTIONS OF THE
WEEK
First Sunday in Advent
-
- In Luke
21:34-6, Jesus advises: "Be on guard so that your hearts
are not weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the
worries of this life and that day catch you unexpectedly, like
a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the
whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have
the strength to escape all these things that will take place,
and to stand before the Son of Man."
-
- Adults: What stumbling blocks might keep me
from being ready to meet the Lord should he return today?
-
- Children: How will I choose to live more fully
as a Christian this week?
- FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE
CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
This is the day we commemorate that Mary was
conceived in St. Anne’s womb without original sin. In addition
to attending Mass, praying a joyful rosary is a wonderful way
to celebrate.
Christ the King on Friday: 12:15 & 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s:
Thurs. Vigil 6:00
p.m.
Friday 12:00
noon
THE ANNUAL GIVING TREE PROJECT
Please visit our Giving Tree in the Gathering
Space. For those of you who were unable to take a gift tag last
week, we are happy to announce that the Salvation Army has provided
us with stockings for children. Select a stocking and fill it
with age-appropriate gifts. Please drop off your gifts or
stockings in the Parish Center TV Room before noon on Sunday,
December 10.
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE
MASS
Practices for the Children’s Choir for
the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 5:15 p.m. are Fridays,
December 15 and 22 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the church. ***On
Friday, December 8, practice will be from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.***
Children must be able to read and should attend at least
2 of the practices. Call Nancy Sand, 592-3410, or email her at
nsand@ctkathens.org for more information.
We need a piano player for the Christmas Eve
5:15 Mass; please contact Nancy Sand at above numbers.
COMMUNAL
RECONCILIATION SERVICES
This Advent there are two opportunities for
communal Reconciliation: Sunday, December 10, at 3:30 p.m.
at St. Mary’s of the Hills in Buchtel and on Sunday,
December 17, at 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Athens.
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION NEWS
Religious Education classes resume today Sunday,
December 3, and Tuesday, December 5.
Why Do Catholics Do That?
Why do we put four
candles in our Advent wreaths?
Candles in the wreath symbolize the light of
Jesus’ arrival which brought us out of the darkness of sin.
The three purple candles in the Advent wreath represent
preparation, and are lit on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays of
Advent. **Light the first purple candle each night this week.
The pink candle, lit on the 3rd Sunday, is
a reminder to rejoice, or in Latin “gaudete.” That’s
why it is called Gaudete Sunday. It is the Church’s way
of letting us know that the best is yet to come.
--Partners in Faith, 2006 Success
Publishing & Media LLC
Advent
Advent, a word meaning “arrival,”
was once a period of repentance and preparation for baptisms
that took place on the Feast of the Epiphany. It is a season
of hope as well as a time to search our hearts in preparation
for rededicating our lives to Christ. The readings we hear at
daily and Sunday Masses remind us of the great yearning Israel
had for the Messiah. We too “wait in joyful hope for the
coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Our waiting, though,
is active rather than passive. We take action by serving others,
spending additional time in prayer, reading Scripture, and participating
in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to prepare our
hearts for the coming of Christ. --copyright,
Loyola Press
YOUTH
NEWS
Our December service day at Monday Creek will
be heavy on fun and light on work. All youth are invited to join
us for axe-throwing, the bear toss, a campfire, and other fun
activities. Meet at CTK at 9:30 AM on Saturday, December 9th.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
Monthly meeting is this Monday, December
4, at 7:30 p.m.
Volunteers are needed for food deliveries the
first Friday and first Tuesday of every month. For more information
or to volunteer, call Kathy Baca at 593-5338 and leave a message.
ANNULMENT
INFORMATION MEETING
Fr. William Cross of The Steubenville Marriage
Tribunal will be in Athens on Wednesday, December 6, 7:00-9:00
p.m. at St. Paul’s Church for an informational meeting.
CATHOLIC
LADIES OF COLUMBIA
The Christmas dinner will be held Monday,
December 11, at Nelson Commons. Hats, gloves, and socks are
being collected for the needy. Call Trudy, 698-4185, or Jean,
592-1428.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS
Please send in your donations and memorials
for Christmas flowers no later than December 19 for inclusion
in the Christmas bulletin.
SACRED HEART RETREAT
HOUSE
Come, visit Sacred Heart Retreat House for
our annual Christmas Tour Saturday, December 2, from 1 till
5 PM and Sunday, December 3, from 1 till 4 PM.
A Senior Citizens Day of Reflection is being
offered Friday, December 8, from 10:30 till 2:30. Note
the change of the usual day and time. “Mary, Our Mother”
is the topic for reflection.
|
- “Be alert at all
times. . .”
BIRTHDAYS: December 4 - 10
Angie Anderson, Jessica Caldwell, Cheska Dial, Kay Fulks, Allen
Glassmire, Mike Goodwin, Melanie Gregory, Richelle Hecker, Janet
Hogan, Brian Jeffers, Mike McCleary, Neil Messerly, Michael Mowry,
Kathy Partusch, Princess Cleah Prince, Sean Redefer, Chris Simpson,
Amy Yanity and Bryan Young.
Students: Elise LaMotte, Adam Feldhaus, Alicia Thornberry.
ANNIVERSARIES:
December 4 - 10
Michele Papai & David Drabold (14th) and Cynthia &
Mamerto Tindongan (16th).
Prayers for the Sick
Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence
to all on our prayer list and pray for the Wasko-Smell triplets,
Cliff Wasko, Judy Engel, Kathleen Morrow, Bill Kane, Tim Ewing,
Linda Huck, Mary Simmons, Teresa Walsh, and Mike Mulligan. (Remembered in the petitions)
CONGRATULATIONS
go out to Michael Catalano who was married November
25 to Irene Ramos in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Michael is the
son of Marge Catalano.
RESPECT LIFE
We are not some casual or meaningless product
of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each
of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.
--Pope Benedict XVI, homily, April
24, 2005
NEED
SOME GIFT IDEAS THIS CHRISTMAS?
Here are some local, national, and international
organizations that would appreciate your gift.
International National
Bread for the World Catholic Cte.
for
- Grameen Bank Appalachia
Heifer International Pax
Christi
TransFair
USA
Local
Appalachian Community Visiting Nurse Association
Hospice and Health Services, Inc.
Good Works
My Sister’s Place
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Athens Conservancy
In each of the December bulletins we will provide
information on one or more of these organizations. Heifer
International, P.O. Box 1692, Merrifield, VA 22116-1692:
works with agriculture and livestock (donations of animals and
training) to develop programs that alleviate hunger and poverty.
www.heifer.org
ATTENTION LITURGICAL MINISTERS
We are preparing the next ministry schedule
which will run from January 6/7 - March 25/26. Please email Nancy
Sand (nsand@ctkathens.org) or phone the office with the dates
on which you unavailable to minister.
We’re scheduling ministers for holiday
Masses; email Nancy with dates you wish to minister.
Christmas Eve at 5:15 & 10:00 p.m., Christmas Day at 10:00
a.m. & New Year’s Day at 10:00 a.m.
“HOLD
ON TO FAITH”
Five high school students from our parish began
meeting late this past summer and were moved to create a religiously
inspired dance. Their basis was the poem, “Hold on to Faith”
by Kelly D. Caron, and the music they selected was, “Open
Your Hand” performed by Alicia Bessette. Different parts
of the piece reflect the ideals in the poem.
They will be sharing the dance with the parish
this week at the 8:30 and 10:30 masses. The dancers include Lucie
White, Mallory Valentour, Hanna Miller, Annie Sand, and
Ava Miller. Their hope is that the dance will encourage
parishioners as they begin their journey through Advent.
BLESSING
FOR AN ADVENT WREATH
Blessed are you, our God, Creator of myriad
stars that twinkle in the dark of Advent nights and the blaze
of color that heralds the dawn of Advent days.
- Blessed
are you who have given us this evergreen crown to adorn with
glowing candles.
- As we watch
and pray around this Advent wreath, set our souls ablaze with
the justice announced by your prophets. Fill our hearts with
the fire of love kindled by the coming of the world's true Light,
Jesus who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
-
- OR
-
- A BLESSING FOR AN ADVENT
WREATH
Blessed are you, our God, who created light
out of darkness and sent your only Son to bring the light of
your love to all people.
- We pray
for your blessing upon this wreath and upon all who kindle these
lights. As we gather together in this Advent darkness to await
the dawn of Christ, prepare our hearts and homes to receive our
Savior.
- Come, wisdom
of Christ, enlighten our minds.
Come, justice of Christ, ignite our wills.
Come, love of Christ, inflame our hearts.
Come, light of Christ, shine in our lives now
and forever. Amen.
--2002/03 Liturgy Training Publications
|